Computer Hardware Terms, Glossary and Dictionary

Routing switch is a switch that also performs routing functions. Usually a switch operates at layer 2 (the Data Link layer) of the OSI Reference Model while routers operate at layer 3 (the Network layer). Routing switches, performing both layer 2 and layer 3 functions, typically have the routing operations implemented in hardware rather than using software. Therefore it is faster than the software based routers. However, routing switching may not as powerful or as flexible as full-fledged routers.

Because they perform some layer 3 functions, routing switches are sometimes called layer-3 switches.

Related Terms

routing switch